How Much Does It Cost to Fuel a Backpacking Stove?

By Anna Duncan

Backpacking stoves are a great way to cook meals while out in the wilderness. They are lightweight, portable and relatively easy to use. But one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a backpacking stove is how much it will cost to fuel it.

The two main types of fuels used for backpacking stoves are liquid fuels and canister fuels. Liquid fuel stoves typically use white gas, kerosene, or alcohol as their fuel source and can be found for as little as $20-$30. However, these stoves require more maintenance than canister stoves, which generally cost more upfront – usually around $50-$90.

Canister stoves use propane or butane as their fuel source and are generally easier to use than liquid-fuel stoves because they don’t require priming and preheating. The downside is that they tend to be more expensive than liquid-fuel models, but the actual cost of fueling them is often lower in the long run since you don’t have to buy fuel on a regular basis like you do with liquid-fuel stoves.

When it comes to actual fueling costs, both types of backpacking stove can vary widely depending on where you buy your fuel. For example, some camping stores may offer cheaper prices on propane or butane canisters than others, so it pays to shop around if you want to save money on your fuel costs.

For those using liquid-fuel stoves, the type of fuel you choose will also influence pricing – for example, white gas tends to be more expensive than kerosene or alcohol. Additionally, some national parks may not allow the use of certain types of fuel due to fire safety concerns so it’s important to check with local authorities before buying any type of liquid-fuel stove.

In general, however, the cost of fueling a backpacking stove is relatively inexpensive compared with other outdoor activities such as fishing or hunting. As long as you shop around for good deals on fuel sources and stick to recommended usage levels for your stove, you should find that keeping your backpacking stove running won’t break your budget.

Conclusion:

How much does it cost to fuel a backpacking stove? It depends on what type of stove you have and where you purchase your fuel from; however, overall costs tend to be relatively low compared with other outdoor activities such as hunting or fishing. Shopping around for good deals and adhering to recommended usage levels should help keep your total costs down even further.